Applicator for cosmetic product, method for the production of such an applicator and container capable of containing such an applicator

ABSTRACT

An applicator for cosmetic product and method for making the applicator, the applicator having a core and a plurality of fibres. The core extends in a main direction, the fibres being distributed along the core, between a proximal end and a distal end opposing one another in the main direction, forming an envelope which has at least two longitudinal slots. The fibres form the bottom of the slots having a first radial extension, the slots extending so as to define, in the region of the distal end, a region with no slots, which is defined by fibres, the radial extension of which from the core is less than or equal to the first radial extension. A container may contain such an applicator.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to French Application Serial No. 1552156, filed Mar. 16, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The invention relates to an applicator for cosmetic product, in particular for mascara, to a method for the production of such an applicator, and to a container capable of containing such an applicator.

BACKGROUND

Mascara applicators can be formed by injection-moulding plastics material, they are thus commonly referred to as “plastics brushes”. They can also be obtained from fibrous elements held between the longitudinal portions of a twisted pin; they are thus commonly referred to as “fibre brushes”. Applicators for mascara have a core, or central portion, and spikes extending radially about said core. The ends of said spikes usually form envelopes in a main longitudinal extension direction of said brush. The spikes of fibre brushes are commonly referred to as “the fibres”.

Plastic brushes from the prior art have distributions of spikes about the core which make it possible to produce complex envelopes which facilitate make-up application. With regard to fibre brushes, such features appear to be more difficult to achieve, unless drawing upon operations of cutting fibres in trajectories which are difficult to implement.

SUMMARY

The invention proposes producing an applicator equipped with fibres, the ends of which form a complex envelope, having advantageous features in terms of make-up application, whilst remaining relatively simple to achieve.

Thus, the invention relates to an applicator for cosmetic product, in particular for mascara, comprising a core and a plurality of fibres projecting from said core, said core extending in a main longitudinal extension direction, referred to as the main direction, said fibres being distributed along the core, over a substantial portion of the length thereof between a proximal end and a distal end opposing one another in said main direction, said fibres forming an envelope with the free ends thereof.

According to the invention, said envelope extends in said main direction, having at least two longitudinal slots, said slots having, in a plane which is transverse to said main direction, a trapezoidal shape, said trapezium being in particular isosceles, thus defining slots having two lateral edges and a bottom, said lateral edges forming obtuse angles with said bottom, said bottom being flat, the fibres forming the bottom of the slots having a radial extension from said core, which is referred to as the first radial extension, said slots extending over a portion of said main direction so as to define, in the region of the distal end of said applicator, a region with no slots, which is defined by fibres, the radial extension of which from the core is less than or equal to said first radial extension.

The invention thus provides an applicator which has slots over the periphery of the envelope formed by the fibres of which it is composed. This has the advantage of dragging a user's eyelashes due to an effect of catching said lashes with the regions located between the slots. In this way, a user's eyelashes are thus lengthened, curled and/or combed effectively. Furthermore, the slots are used to contain the cosmetic product and the user's eyelashes are thus satisfactorily loaded with product.

The applicator from the invention has the additional advantage of having, at the end, at the distal end thereof, a region which is used for precise make-up application, in particular because the fibres have a small radial extension there.

The use of a fibre brush additionally allows a greater density of fibres than with the spikes of plastics brushes.

According to different embodiments of the invention, which can be taken together or separately:

-   -   said envelope extends, between said proximal and distal ends,         over a length, referred to as the envelope length and marked L,         said slots extending over a length, referred to as the slot         length and labelled l, said two lengths L and l being linked by         the formula: 0.5≦l/L≦0.9     -   said slots have substantially the same cross section with         respect to said main direction at all points of the portion of         said main direction in which they extend,     -   said lateral edges form an angle which is substantially a right         angle therebetween,     -   the apex of said trapezium, forming said bottom, has a length,         between the two lateral edges, which is substantially equal to         2.5 mm.     -   the region without any slots in the region of the distal end of         said applicator is formed by fibres of a first type, whereas the         rest of the envelope is formed by fibres of a second type,     -   said envelope has an extremum in the main direction, in         particular from the proximal end to the distal end of the core,     -   said extremum is a maximum,     -   said envelope has a portion in a plane which is transverse to         said main direction, said portion having a shape which has an         axial symmetry with respect to an axis which is perpendicular to         said main direction, said axis being contained in said         transverse plane,     -   said envelope has three slots, said slots being at a regular         distance from one another about said main direction with an         angular space which is substantially equal to a 120° angle,     -   said envelope has four slots, said slots being at a regular         distance from one another about said main direction with an         angular space which is substantially equal to a 90° angle,     -   said envelope is curved in the main direction, in particular         from the proximal end to the distal end of the core,     -   said envelope is substantially convex,     -   said core consists of a twisted rod,     -   said proximal end of the core is extended by a portion of the         rod with no fibres,     -   the applicator forms a brush.

The invention also relates to a method for producing an applicator for cosmetic product, in particular mascara, said method comprising:

-   -   a step of positioning a plurality of fibres between longitudinal         portions of a pin, then     -   a first step of twisting said pin to form a twisted pin having         fibres extending radially about said pin, the ends of said         fibres forming an envelope which extends in a longitudinal         extension direction about said pin, referred to as the main         direction, then     -   a step of cutting fibres, in such a way that said envelope has         at least two longitudinal slots, said slots having, in a plane         which is transverse to said main direction, a trapezoidal shape,         said trapezium being in particular isosceles, thus defining         slots having two lateral edges and a bottom, said lateral edges         forming obtuse angles with said bottom, said bottom being flat,         the fibres forming the base of the slots having a radial         extension from said core, which is referred to as the first         radial extension, said slots extending over a portion of said         main direction so as to define, in the region of the distal end         of said applicator, a region with no slots, which is defined by         fibres, the radial extension of which from the core is less than         or equal to said first radial extension.

The applicator produced in this manner has the advantage of having a distribution of fibres, the ends of which form a complex envelope about the core thereof by drawing upon operations which remain simple to implement by means of a cutting step.

According to different embodiments of the invention, which can be taken together or separately:

-   -   said twisted pin is kept rectilinear,     -   said cutting-out is controlled digitally.

The invention also relates to a container for cosmetic product, in particular mascara, which is capable of containing an applicator of the type described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood, and other aims, details, features and advantages thereof will become clearer throughout the following detailed explanatory description of at least one embodiment of the invention given by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric, slightly tilted view of a first embodiment of an applicator according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the applicator from FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is an isometric, slightly tilted view of a second embodiment of an applicator according to the invention,

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the applicator from FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 is an isometric, slightly tilted view of a third embodiment of an applicator according to the invention,

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the applicator from FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in the drawings, the invention relates to an applicator 10 for cosmetic product, in particular for mascara. Said applicator 10 is particularly suitable for applying make-up to a user's eyelashes and/or eyebrows. It comprises a core 11 and a plurality of fibres projecting from said core 11. The core is in particular a core formed from twisted strands, in particular two twisted strands, between which the fibres are held. The strands are, for example, made of metal. Said applicator 10 advantageously forms a fibre brush.

Said core 11 extends in a main longitudinal extension direction, referred to as the main direction X, said fibres being distributed along the core 11, over a substantial portion of the length thereof between a proximal end 12 and a distal end 13 opposing one another in said main direction X. A substantial portion is understood to mean the majority of the length of the core 11.

The core 11 consists of a twisted rod and the proximal end 12 thereof is extended by a portion of the rod with no fibres 15, also referred to as the sleeve 15. Said sleeve 15 is advantageously intended to join said brush 10 to a rod, which is itself connected to a means allowing the user to handle the assembly, for example a cap (assembly not shown here).

Said fibres form an envelope E1-E3 with the free ends thereof.

According to the invention, said envelope E1-E3 extends in said main direction X, having at least two longitudinal slots 21-23.

In this case, the envelope E1 from FIG. 1, showing a first embodiment, has an extremum in the main direction X, which is substantially midway between the proximal end 12 and the distal end 13 of the core 13. Since said extremum is a maximum, the envelope E1 can thus be described as a bullet-shaped envelope.

The envelope E2 from FIG. 3 is, itself, curved in the main direction X, giving it a substantially convex overall profile (second embodiment).

The envelope E3 from FIG. 5, showing a third embodiment, is close to that of the envelope E1 from FIG. 1.

It should be noted that the invention is not limited to the examples of envelopes E1-E3 shown here, and that all other envelope shapes are conceivable, without departing from the scope of the invention.

According to the invention, said slots 21-23 have, in a plane which is transverse to said main direction X, a trapezoidal shape. “Longitudinal slots” are understood to mean slots 21-23 which follow the main direction X. In other words, slots 21-23 which have longitudinal extensions in parallel with said main direction X. Furthermore, “trapezoidal shape” is understood to mean a trapezium which is open to the outside.

In addition, as can be seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6, said trapezium is for example isosceles. In other words, the slots 21-23 have two lateral edges and a bottom, said lateral edges forming obtuse angles a2 with said bottom, in other words, angles a2 which are greater than a 90° angle. Said obtuse angles a2 are inside the trapezium; they are defined in particular between the sides of the trapezium and the smaller apex of said trapezium.

The lateral edges and the bottom are formed by the free ends of the fibres.

Between the slots 21-23, the free ends of the fibres define a surface S which advantageously ensures the combing of the lashes. Said surface S connects a lateral edge of a slot to a lateral edge of an adjacent slot. In cross section, said surface S is curved (see FIGS. 2, 4 and 6).

Said slots 21-23 are thus comparable to cuts made in the surface of a frustoconical shape. Said cuts have no bottom, or planar base, and no lateral surfaces, or lateral edges.

In this case, said bottom is flat and the fibres forming said bottom have a radial extension e21-e23, from said core 11 which will be referred to in the following as first radial extension e21-e23.

Said slots 21-23 additionally extend over a portion of said main direction X so as to define, in the region of the distal end 13 of said applicator, a region 14, 14′ with no slots, which is defined by fibres, the radial extension e14, e14′ of which from the core 11 is less than or equal to said first radial extension e21-e23.

The region 14, 14′ with no slots is advantageously intended for precise application of make-up, for example to portions which are difficult for the user to reach. Said region 14, 14′ will be referred to here as end piece 14, 14′. The fibres forming said region have a radial extension which is less than or equal to the radial extension e21-e23 of the other fibres forming the brush 10; they are thus more rigid.

This reinforces the function of the end piece 14, 14′ which is dedicated to delicate and detailed application of make-up.

In addition, the end piece 14, 14′ can be formed by fibres of a first type, whereas the rest of the envelope E1-E3 will be formed by fibres of a second type. “Type of fibres” is understood to mean fibres of different natures, in particular in terms of diameter, material, and shape, hollow or solid, or even colour.

For example, the fibres in the first and second embodiments shown—see FIGS. 1 to 4—will be solid fibres at the end piece 14, having a diameter of approximately 7 mils, whereas those forming the rest of the envelope E1, E2 will be hollow fibres, having a diameter of approximately 6 mils.

The fibres used in the case of the third embodiment—see FIGS. 5 and 6—will be solid fibres having a diameter of approximately 5 mils; in this case, a single type of fibre will be used for the envelope E3 and the end piece 14′.

These examples can advantageously be combined.

This makes it possible to provide different effects in terms of make-up application, for the same brush, by varying the types of fibres in said main direction X.

In addition, the end piece 14, 14′ makes it possible to prevent the presence of cosmetic product residue at the end of the brush 10. The end piece 14, 14′ will collect the cosmetic product, in particular in the case of mascara, rather than let it accumulate at the end of the brush 10.

Said envelope E1-E3 will extend over a length, referred to as the envelope length and marked L. Said slots 21-23 will extend over a length, referred to as the slot length and labelled l, said two lengths L and l being linked by the formula: 0.5≦l/L≦0.9.

For example, said length L will be approximately 28 mm, more specifically approximately 27.7 mm.

Said length l can be of between 10 and 18 mm.

In addition, the end piece 14 will have a length, labelled t in FIGS. 1 to 4, which will be approximately 6 mm—in the case of the two first embodiments. In these two cases, the end piece 14 is clearly defined by fibres of a different type from those used for the rest of the envelope E1-E3.

In the case of the third embodiment, the end piece 14′ is rather defined from the location where the slots stop, due to the reduction in the radial extension of the fibres towards the distal end 13. The reduction in the radial extension of the fibres is due, in this case, to the bullet shape of the envelope E3.

The end piece 14′, in FIG. 5, will have a length t′ which is greater by one or several millimetres with respect to the end piece 14 from the two first embodiments.

The end piece 14, 14′ is advantageously provided to be relatively large, in particular in terms of the longitudinal extension in the main direction X. For example, the following formula will be complied with: 4 mm≦t,t′≦8 mm in order to give said end piece 14, 14′ a tangible existence, owing to the significant length thereof.

It should be noted that said slots 21-23 will have substantially the same cross section with respect to said main direction X at all points of the portion of said main direction X in which they extend. This means that, although the dimensions of this trapezium change in said main direction X, said trapezium remains substantially isosceles at all points of said slot 21-23.

In addition, as can be seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6, the lateral edges of said slots 21-23, which are produced by the in particular isosceles sides of said trapeziums, form an angle a1 which is substantially a right angle therebetween.

It can also be seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6 that the apex of said trapeziums, forming the bottoms of said slots 21-23, has a length f21-f23 which is substantially equal to 2.5 mm. This value can vary between 1.5 and 3.5 mm without departing from the scope of the invention.

The slots 21-23 dimensioned in this manner advantageously make it possible to be effectively involved in the function of loading the brush 10 from the invention with cosmetic product.

In addition, said envelope E1-E3 will have, in particular in the place where it has slots 21-23, a portion in a plane which is transverse to said main direction X which has an axial symmetry with respect to an axis which is perpendicular to said main direction X, said axis being contained in said transverse plane. Said axis is labelled Y in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6.

In the case of the first and second embodiments, said envelope E1, E2 has three slots 21, 22. Said slots 21, 22 will be at a regular distance from one another about said main direction with an angular space which is substantially equal to a 120° angle. This has the advantage of creating containers for cosmetic product—the slots 21, 22—over the periphery of said envelope E1, E2, said containers being regularly distributed about the core 11.

In the case of the third embodiment, the envelope E3 will have four slots 23, said slots 23 being at a regular distance from one another about said main direction with an angular space which is substantially equal to a 90° angle. This has the same advantage as regular distribution of containers for cosmetic product over the periphery of the envelope E3.

This number of 3 or 4 containers, or slots 21-23, is non-limiting, and it is also possible to provide a different number of slots 21-23 without departing from the scope of the invention. There can be two slots 21-23, which are diametrically opposed on either side of the core 11, or even 5 and 8 slots, which are regularly distributed about the core 11, without departing from the scope of the invention.

It should be noted that said slots 21-23 are produced so as to be hollow with respect to the surface of the envelopes E1-E3, with a flat bottom. It should also be noted that the fibres at the highest radial extensions form the majority of the brush 10 and that the slots 21-23 are distributed in a point-wise manner over the surface of the envelopes E1-E3 that they form.

The outer diameter DE1-DE3 of said envelopes E1-E3 will be, for example, between 7.5 and 11 mm, in particular approximately 9.3 mm, or even 9.5 mm.

The radial extension e21-e23 of the fibres forming the bottom of said slots 21-23 will also be between 3 and 4 mm, more particularly approximately 3.3 mm. As a reminder, “radial extension” is used to refer to the distance between the main direction X and the free end of the measured fibres.

In addition, the diameter d14, d14′ of the end piece 14, 14′ can vary between 4 and 6 mm. For example, the diameter d14, d14′ will be approximately 4.9 mm.

The invention also relates to a method for producing an applicator for cosmetic product, in particular mascara, for example that which has just been described.

Said method firstly comprises a step of positioning a plurality of fibres between longitudinal portions of a pin (not shown). The fibres are distributed in such a way that said longitudinal portions pass substantially through the middle of each of said fibres.

Said fibres can be of different types, as mentioned above, in particular in order to define a specific end piece 14 (see the first and second embodiments).

The following step of said method is a first step of twisting said pin to form a twisted pin having fibres extending radially thereabout. The ends of said fibres thus form an envelope E1-E3 extending in a longitudinal extension direction about said pin. The fibres are distributed in the form of helices of fibres as a result of the twisting of the pin.

Said twisting step can be replaced with a first step of twisting leading to a cylindrical envelope, followed by a first cutting step to form said envelopes E1-E3, having an extremum or having a curved profile, in particular between said proximal and distal ends thereof.

The step which follows is a step of cutting the fibres, so that said envelope E1, E3 has at least two longitudinal slots 21-23, said slots 21-23 having, in a plane which is transverse to said main direction X, a trapezoidal shape, said trapezium being in particular isosceles, thus defining slots 21-23 having two lateral edges and a bottom, said lateral edges forming obtuse angles a2 with said bottom, said bottom being flat, the fibres forming the bottom of the slots 21-23 having a radial extension e21-e23 from said core 11, which is referred to as the first radial extension d21-d23, said slots 21-23 extending over a portion of said main direction X so as to define, in the region of the distal end of said applicator 10, a region with no slots, which is defined by fibres, the radial extension e14, e14′ of which from the core 11 is less than or equal to said first radial extension e21-e23.

It should be noted that said twisted pin is kept rectilinear.

In an embodiment which is not shown, it can also be curved after said step of cutting the fibres to form said slots 21-23.

It should be noted that the invention also relates to a container for cosmetic product (not shown), which is capable of containing a brush of the type described above.

It should also be noted that the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 can advantageously be combined in order to combine the effects in terms of make-up application, or even in order to obtain new ones. 

1. Applicator for cosmetic product, in particular for mascara, comprising a core and a plurality of fibres projecting from said core, said core extending in a main longitudinal extension direction, referred to as the main direction, said fibres being distributed along the core, over a substantial portion of the length thereof between a proximal end and distal end opposing one another in said main direction, said fibres forming an envelope with the free ends thereof, said envelope extending in said main direction whilst having at least two longitudinal slots, said slots having, in a plane which is transverse to said main direction, a trapezoidal shape, thus defining slots having two lateral edges and a bottom, said lateral edges forming obtuse angles with said bottom, said bottom being flat, the fibres forming the bottom of the slot having a radial extension from said core, which is referred to as the first radial extension, said slots extending over a portion of said main direction so as to define, in the region of the distal end of said applicator, a region with no slots, which is defined by fibres, the radial extension of which from the core is less than or equal to said first radial extension.
 2. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein said envelope extends, between said proximal and distal ends, over a length, referred to as the envelope length and marked L, said slots extending over a length, referred to as the slot length and labelled l, said two lengths L and l being linked by the formula: 0.5≦l/L≦0.9.
 3. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein said slots have substantially the same cross section with respect to said main direction at all points of the portion of said main direction in which they extend.
 4. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein said lateral edges form an angle which is substantially a right angle therebetween.
 5. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the apex of said trapezium, forming said bottom, has a length, between the two lateral edges, which is substantially equal to 2.5 mm.
 6. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the region without any slots in the region of the distal end of said applicator is formed by fibres of a first type, whereas the rest of the envelope is formed by fibres of a second type.
 7. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein said envelope has an extremum in the main direction, in particular from the proximal end to the distal end of the core.
 8. Applicator according to claim 7, wherein said extremum is a maximum.
 9. Applicator according claim 1, wherein said envelope has a portion in a plane which is transverse to said main direction, said portion having a shape which has an axial symmetry with respect to an axis which is perpendicular to said main direction, said axis being contained in said transverse plane.
 10. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein said envelope has three slots, said slots being at a regular distance from one another about said main direction with an angular space which is substantially equal to a 120° angle.
 11. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein said envelope has four slots, said slots being at a regular distance from one another about said main direction with an angular space which is substantially equal to a 90° angle.
 12. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein said envelope is curved in the main direction (X), in particular from the proximal end to the distal end of the core.
 13. Applicator according to claim 12, wherein said envelope is substantially convex.
 14. Method for producing an applicator for cosmetic product, in particular mascara, said method comprising: a step of positioning a plurality of fibres between longitudinal portions of a pin, then a first step of twisting said pin to form a twisted pin having fibres extending radially about said pin, the ends of said fibres forming an envelope which extends in a longitudinal extension direction about said pin, referred to as the main direction, then a step of cutting the fibres, so that said envelope has at least two longitudinal slots, said slots having, in a plane which is transverse to said main direction, a trapezoidal shape, thus defining slots having two lateral edges and a bottom, said lateral edges forming obtuse angles with said bottom, said bottom being flat, the fibres forming the base of the slots having a radial extension from said core, which is referred to as the first radial extension, said slots extending over a portion of said main direction so as to define, in the region of the distal end of said applicator, a region with no slots, which is defined by fibres, the radial extension of which from the core is less than or equal to said first radial extension.
 15. Container for cosmetic product, in particular mascara, which is capable of containing an applicator according to claim
 1. 16. Container for cosmetic product, in particular mascara, which is obtained according to the method of claim
 14. 